How To Make Candied Yams Recipe
Candied yams are a true Southern staple at any holiday meal, and this recipe delivers the classic holiday flavor in a fraction of the time. With just 5 minutes of prep, you can have this candied yams recipe in the oven, bubbling away in a rich buttery sauce seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Coming from a Southern kitchen, I know that holiday meals are all about tradition and flavor without standing in a hot kitchen all day. This recipe is a staple in my family because it is foolproof and turns out delicious every time. I’ve perfected this recipe to make sure you get that authentic Southern comforting taste and the convenience you need during the busy holiday season.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Prep Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 30 minutes | 6 | Beginner + |
Fresh Or Canned Yams?
You can easily peel and cook some fresh sweet potatoes for this recipe. For saving time, canned yams work perfectly because they are already cooked, soft, and ready to go. Just open the can, drain the juice, and add them to the baking dish.
Recipe Variation And Tips
Good news! You’ve got options when it comes to candied yams and how to make them. Plus, these tips will help you make the perfect recipe every time.
- If you only have two or three people for the holidays, just cut the recipe in half (unless you want seconds)!
- If you’d rather use fresh sweet potatoes for the recipe, simply peel them, boil them until they are tender, and add them to the baking dish in place of the canned yams.
- I used a 40-ounce can of yams for this recipe. Although the can seems like overkill, it was the right amount for about six servings.
- I used light brown sugar for this recipe, but you can use dark brown sugar for a deeper, more molasses-type flavor.
- Add a handful of mini marshmallows on top. But make sure you add them at the end and watch closely, as they can burn very fast.
- This can easily be made in the Crock Pot. While this recipe is designed for the oven, you can adapt it by adding all ingredients to a greased slow cooker and cooking on low for 2-3 hours until the yams are hot and the sauce is bubbly. Be sure to check halfway through.
- After baking for 15 minutes, it’s important to spoon the melted sauce back over the candied yams so they don’t dry out as they cook. This helps create the candied effect as they finish baking.
- Make sure to drain all of the juice out of the can, or it can prevent the sauce from becoming too thin.
Watch How To Make Candied Yams
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by opening the can of yams and draining the liquid. Add the yams to a greased 8″ x 8″ baking dish.
Next, slice the butter into cubes and top the yams.
Add the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to a small bowl and mix well. Then, sprinkle the mixture over the top of the yams and butter and bake for 15 minutes. This creates a delicious sauce when it’s all melted.
Remove the candied yams from the oven and spoon the hot, melted butter mixture over the yams. Return it to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Yams
Are Candied Yams And Sweet Potatoes The Same?
Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same—true yams are a starchy root from Africa and Asia, while what we call “yams” in U.S. stores are actually sweet potatoes.
What Are Candied Yams Made Of?
Candied yams are usually made with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Why Are My Candied Yams Runny?
When you add butter to the recipe, you will have a more liquid syrup. The sweet yams taste amazing in the brown sugar glaze and are a sweet and delicious recipe for any holiday dinner.
What Meat Goes With Candied Yams?
Candied yams are typically a holiday dish and go well with turkey, baked ham, or chicken. If you’re making the classic side dish for a special dinner, a nice juicy steak or fish filet will work well with the yams.
How Do I Store The Candied Yams?
You can store any leftover yams in an airtight container. You will also want to refrigerate the yams.
More Christmas And Thanksgiving Side Dishes With Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet potato casserole is another way to use yams for a delicious side dish this year. The recipe is topped with pecans and marshmallows for a wonderfully sweet treat. The sweet potatoes recipe is a classic, and it’s the perfect side dish for the Christmas and Thanksgiving table.
- On busy days, this slow cooker sweet potato casserole makes holiday prep so much easier.
- If you’re craving a sugary twist, this candied sweet potato casserole is seriously the best.
- You can now enjoy a restaurant favorite at home with this copycat Ruth’s Chris sweet potato casserole recipe.
How To Make Candied Yams Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 – 40 oz. can yams
- 1 stick 8 Tbsp. butter, cubed
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400-degrees and grease an 8" x 8" baking dish.
- Open the can of yams, drain the liquid, and add to the baking dish.
- Place the sliced butter on top of the yams.
- Mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a small bowl and sprinkle it over the yams.
- Bake for 15 minutes and remove it from the oven.
- Spoon the liquid candied mixture over the yams and return to the oven.
- Bake another 10-15 minutes and serve.
I made this to save my aging mother in law a little time and it was the hit of the Thanksgiving meal. I have been asked to make this ever since. Super simple recipe saved in my phone forever.
can I make this in a crock pot
I haven’t tried this in a Crock Pot, but I think you could. It might only take about four of hours on low. I would check it after that time. Not sure how long it would take. Let me know how it goes.
It was delicious! Very easy to make & we loved it. I added some marshmallows on top during the last 15 mins of baking!
So glad you loved it!